Tunis court nod to extradition of Libyan ex-PM

Tunis: A Tunis appeals court on Tuesday approved a
request by the new Libyan authorities for the extradition of
their former Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmudi, the court`s
clerk said.
The court "approved the extradition request" made by the
new Libyan authorities for the extradition of Mahmudi, despite
concerns expressed by rights groups and Mahmudi himself over
his safety.

During the hearing, dozens of Libyans rallied outside the
courthouse demanding the extradition of the man they called
the "third tyrant of Libya" after fallen strongman Muammar
Gaddafi and his son Seif al-Islam.

"The Libyan people have the right to apply the law to
those who robbed the people," one banner read.

Defence lawyer Mabrouk Kourchid argued at the hearing
that his team had not had time to review documents newly added
to the case because of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha that
ended yesterday.
However a Tunisian judge refused to postpone the
extradition hearing, with Mahmudi`s team complaining that he
had given no explanation for his decision.

"We are very disappointed by the judge`s stance, which
presages nothing good about his intentions," Kourchid said.
Last week he said that his client fears for his life as
the sole holder of Libyan state secrets since Gaddafi`s death
on October 20.

Mahmudi, 70, was prime minister until the final days of
the Gaddafi regime. He was arrested on September 21 on
Tunisia`s southwestern border with Algeria.